So if you were to convert to a 520 rather than 525 whats with the wild variety of chains and whats with the moto x only chains ?

When is a 520 chain not a 520 chain ?

I put a renthal gold heavy duty O ring on my NC last month,
that chain can be used for either but its ok for 400s coz they dont get loads of stress like on a supersport or superbike, and at £65 for 120 links and a rivet link you cant go wrong!!

I got a tsubaki 520 chain on front and rear renthal sprockets for £84, these v4's will stretch the chains a bit as they have no cush drive but 520 is still big enough for a 400, I usuall adjust mine twice a month so its not too bad.

But if your wheelie'ing the bike alot or spinning the back I find it does stretch quite quickly so dont.

Twice a month! How far do you ride *shock*

I only check mine every 6-800 miles and it doesn't usually need adjusting. (mind you the 24 has a cush drive )

With regard to chains, I dont bother with O ring chains anymore, its either a standard non-ringed chain or an X ring chain.

It's interesting to read about but from many sources i've read, I think O-rings are a bit of a rip off.

X-Ring are miles better and for not much more ££.

However, for some reason if you look at the mfg specs non-ringed chains seem to be miles stronger They Just require more mantainance :-) I have a cheap non-ringed chain on the 35 project ^_^ will see how well it holds up without a cushdrive...

So I am I then correct in thinking that the moto x and non moto x chain thing is a load of old rubbish and I can put on either as they are half price of a road bike chain ???

Personal preferance matey,
it certainly wont do any harm as long as you get a decent one..

I have a Renthal RS3? 520 chain on the race bike...it is sorted.

My guess for Motox chains is that they don't cope with enormous power, are generally longer and are cleaned after every ride..

So as long as you keep it clean and lubed moer than an O/X\ ring chain then you are jammin

Provided you look after it properly any chain (within reason) should last a long long time.

O/X ring chains have rubber seals to kepe lube inside the pins, X-rings seal far better than O-Rings as they have multiple surfaces to seal on.

Standard roller chains have no rings but provided you use a decent lube there no worse than a ringed chain (i find them easier to clean etc as you dont have to worry about damaging rubber seals)

Over maintanance is as bad as under-maintance, people who are adjusting / cleaning their chains every week are doing it too often unless they ride thru mud and cover 1000 miles a week, if you read enough forums you'll come across many people who wear out even the most expensive chains in 3 months / 2000 miles

Get a friend to check the chain slack when you are on the bike, as your weight will take up play in the suspension and tighten the chain up!

A little bit looser is better than a bit tighter, it'll make your chain and sprockets last a lot longer.

300-600 miles is a good interval for checking the chain slack and cleaning the chain (unless the chain is very dirty)

Lube the correct parts, lube needs to go into the rollers, with ringed chains your really just cleaning the chain and keeping the rings 'fresh' as the rings keep lube in the chain.

Wipe off the excess, all you need is a thin coating on the outsides to stop rusting, too much product and you'll have everything under the sun sticking to your chain and it'll look mankey in no time.

Do Not use WD-40 to clean a ringed chain out, its too penetrative, it dries out the grease in the rings and wears the chain out.

Use Parafin instead.

I personally use EP80 gearbox oil, a bottle lasts practically forever, a tiny bit in each of the rollers and wipe a soaked rag over all the plates to leave a film, no fling and silky chain that lasts a long time ^_^

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-chain-lube/

^ That is pretty good, also shows WD-40 at the bottom.

http://www.quality-cycle.com/truth_abou ... chains.htm

^ Interesting facts about bike chains, also the very bottom has a good illustration of how to lube a chain.

hth